ASHLAND, Ky. — The economic crunch has apparently taken a toll on one of the tri-state region’s largest employers.

Citing mounting debt and an increase in the number of patients who can’t pay for their medical care, officials from King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky., announced Tuesday afternoon that the hospital is reducing the number of staff members, effective immediately.

In a prepared statement, KDMC officials did not release any details about just how many of the hospital’s 4,200-plus employees would lose their jobs. However, Rob Johnson, hospital division director of the Service Employees International Union, District 1199, said that 82 hospital employees lost their jobs on Tuesday. KDMC security reportedly escorted the employees to clean out their lockers, confiscated their ID badges and then escorted them off the hospital premises.

Another 150 employees were presented with the following options: work part-time, change shifts or leave their jobs. All options included a pay cut.

The statement released Tuesday by KDMC officials reads in part, “The economic recession has hit our region hard and is lasting longer than anyone expected. KDMC has weathered the economic downturn for two years by minimizing capital expenditures, changing benefits, renegotiating contracts and changing flow processes whenever possible to improve efficiency.”

KDMC officials further stated in the press release, “However, the harsh reality is that patients are delaying their own health care and often those who are receiving the needed care cannot pay for it. Unreimbursed (sic) care and bad debt are at an all-time high for our organization — approaching the $100 million mark this year, which is a 33 percent increase over just a year ago. This is a $25 million difference in one year. Cost reductions alone cannot compensate for this change in our community and in our country.”

KDMC officials also stated that the hospital is working with employees affected by the downsizing to explore other job opportunities in the medical center or around the region as well as unemployment benefits.

Johnson said SEIU 1199 will fight the layoffs because KDMC allegedly has not honored its agreement with the union. He said hospital officials promised to meet with the union and hospital employees and provide a 7-day notice prior to any layoffs, but failed to do so.

According to its Web site, KDMC is the largest employer in the region between Charleston, W.Va., and Lexington, Ky. The hospital, which now boasts 465 beds, was founded in 1899. Over the years, the hospital has received numerous honors, including being named one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the U.S. by Thomas Reuters. KDMC has also been recognized as one of the top places to work in Kentucky by the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management State Council and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.